by Steve Nelson

July begins with a fortunate Grand Trine of Moon, Mercury and Uranus in fire signs making a Kite with “the great benefics” Venus and Jupiter at the top conjunct Ceres, the goddess of plenty with her overflowing cornucopia. This abundance can be ours as we follow the dance of the Moon and planets.

A New World is beginning as Venus rises before the Sun. She mediates the emergence of the new Avatar, the new light of the time. The goddess awakens and takes magic to task seeing all that is wrong and what is lacking; it is she who presides over the death, rebirth and coming to expression of the true king and true lover and brings new magic for the time. She invokes renewal in us all. Catch her new light, our new light, in the morning sky and become the star you are.

Other significant highlights this month are the Sundance Full Moon July 3, the Lover’s Festival July 7, Ramadan beginning July 20, Gate of Inspiration July 22 and the New Mercury July 28. During the 2-week retrograde period before this alignment we experience Mercury meltdown, afterward mind and magic are reborn. Even though Mercury is still retrograde all systems are go after our Mercurial messenger friend begins his new 4-month Leo cycle, a new magic enters our world.

2012 is the shift of the Ages, the convergence of cosmic cycles that brings global integration of consciousness and fulfills the prophecies of the ages, myths of all time come to life. A new world is being born and Love is key, the new creation is configured by the reunion of yin and yang at a higher turn of creation’s spiral, whatever the new yin/yang agree will come to be.

July 3-6 (exact 2:52 pm 7/3) – Illuminate!

Sundance Full Moon

Native Americans call this Sun in Cancer Full Moon the Sun Dance Moon, it channels most powerfully the light and spirit of the Sun. Each Full Moon is a time of revelation and opportunity for healing body, mind and soul. Meditation, deep breathing, music and dancing help open to receive blessings from on high. Spiritual energies flow strongly for 3 days following Full Moon. Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters and flashes of inspiration.

July 4 – Declare Freedom

Independence Day

Happy Birthday, America! Contrary to popular belief America comes from the Incan word Amaraku “land of the feathered serpent.” This country was founded the day the Sun aligns with the bright star Sirius, a mystic key to Liberty and to the flight of the feathered serpent. This is a day to celebrate our freedom and the freedom of all people. Happy 4^th of July!

July 7 – Wish for Love

Tanabata, Star Lovers Festival

Once a year all the magpies form a bridge over the Milky Way so the star lovers Altair and Vega can come together for a single night. A wish-making ritual is performed, children and lovers hang poems for the stars on bamboo.

July 10-12 (exact 9:48 pm edt) – Realize Dreams

3rd Quarter Moon

This Moon cuts away all that distracts from putting dreams into action.  The 3rd Quarter lunar phase integrates new ideas into creative expression; it's time to follow our bliss and do what feels good in concert with the whole.

July 14 (10:16 pm) – Completion and Clearing

Mercury Retrograde

These next 14 days (until 4 pm 7/28) are ideal for finishing up old business, not for beginning new. Old world patterns of thinking inhibiting soul expression are exposed and transmuted. Simplifying communications and eliminating mental clutter help open to bright new possibilities that will be coming through. Clear the slate to make way for a new state of mind for the new time.

July 15-17 – Make a Wish!

Balsamic Moon

Put wishes on the air and bring to mind those who need healing. This wishing Moon with New Venus brings opportunity to invoke new love, peace and creative prosperity. The deeper we feel, the more Moon magic is invoked for this new cycle.

July 18-20 – Go Within

Dark of Moon/New Moon

The day before New Moon until Sunset a day after is ideal for psychic and physical house clearing to make way for the new cycle; outer activity is favored after the crescent appears. New Moon (12:24 am 7/19) is a great cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down.

July 21-25 – A Time to Sow

Crescent New Moon

It's time to bring forward what we wish be realized. Moon magic is strongest Sunset to Moonset when the Moon shines through the 7th House. Meditation now opens doorways, wishes take wing, prayers bring blessings through the lunar cycle. Crescent Moon activates the new archetypes.

July 22-23 (6 am 7/22 - 6 am 7/23) – Dance to Be Free

Gate of Inspiration

This July 22 Muse is Terpsichore, “the lover of dancing.” This is a time to dance to let go bodily tensions that hold outmoded ways of thinking and feeling. Breathe deeply (inspire) and move freely to shed old ways and become present to the power and promise of the new time.

July 26-28 (4:56 am 7/26) – Time to Choose

1st Quarter Moon

This Moon is like a scythe cutting across the sky; it's time to cut free from trappings of the past and affirm our purpose moving forward Breathing deeply through the light of the crown frees energy flow up and down the spine to power our dreams.

July 28 (3:58 pm) – Think and Create Anew

New Mercury

Mercury crosses between Earth and Sun beginning a new 4-month cycle of communication, invention and commerce. Mind and magic are reborn. This Leo New Mercury brings a special magic and power to realize our dreams. We will have 3 months to bring this new magic to Earth.

Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer who uses Tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. He can be reached at 704-375-3759 or email [email protected].and move freely (dance!) to shed old ways and be present to the power and possibilities of the time.